Photographer: Thomas Jantscher The Abbey of Saint Maurice was built almost 1500 years ago. It is situated against a cliff in a section of the road between geneva and the simplon pass. This particular site was likely to be chosen for its defensive position given by the cliff. However the planned fortification proved a failure due to rock fragments falling from the cliff on to the building. Throughout the history rock slides had an important influence causing several damages: in 1611 a huge rock fall caused a convulsion of the abbey, 1942 a rock destroyed the cross-spire and portal-nave of the building.